I can’t seem to get away from writing about the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Several weeks ago I wrote about the first two, love and joy. Today I am going to write about peace. We are surely living in a day when we search for peace in a very troubled world.

Peace is defined as quietness, rest, harmony, order and security in the midst of turmoil and temptation. If we strive to live pleasing to God and His commandments, this is where we find peace.

Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If by faith we believe; we have been exonerated, we are free from blame or guilt.

This certainly does not mean that if we accept Christ we are free from trouble and worry. There is a hymn that says “take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there”. When we pray and trust in Him, we can feel peace (that passeth all understanding).

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” What a verse. If we are afraid, we can’t have peace. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you.”

There are some things that will keep us from having peace. (1) You can’t go anywhere today, if you are still mired (bogged) down in yesterday. (2) The fellow who worries about what people think of him wouldn’t worry so much if he only knew how seldom they do.

One way to seek peace… “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

God can give us peace. As I was thinking about this, I was reminded how important it is for us to seek after and encourage peace; in all areas and circumstances of our life.

How would we describe the opposite of peace? I think first of unrest or turmoil. If we speak and act hastily concerning someone’s behavior we could wound them severely, spiritually speaking.

If we who say we are a Christian, say something belittling we may be judging someone God has plans for. I don’t mean we should condone things that aren’t right, but we better be sure we have heard from God if “we” start to prune bushes.

When a person in authority resorts to self-righteous behavior it becomes confusing. A great scripture for this is I Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” (KJV).

As we find peace in our lives, we should be mindful of Matthew 5:9 Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”

Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

James 3:18 “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

In Mark 4:39 when the storm came and Jesus said, “Peace be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

I believe Jesus can control the storms that come into our life. We have to do as the disciples did, call on Him. As we have peace, we are to share our peace. It is the only way to keep it.